I think what struck me most is how often we mistake a moment of panic for a lack of ability. I've had so many experiences where I knew something, but the pressure of the moment made it disappear completely. Reading this felt oddly reassuring—like a reminder that struggling doesn't mean we're failing.
“Struggling doesn’t mean we’re failing” is exactly the reframe. The panic and the ability are separate things, they just show up at the same time and it’s easy to confuse them.
Hi Shea! I’m so glad I found your Substack! I’m learning Japanese as an adult in Tokyo, and it has been such a humbling language-learning journey. I’m Asian American and a quarter Japanese, but third generation, so I didn’t grow up knowing Japanese.
I also completely freeze under pressure. I once thought I understood what my hairstylist said and accidentally agreed to henna instead of my regular hair dye 😭 I was kicking myself afterward for not saying “Nihongo ga sukoshi dekimasu” earlier.
Hi, Jasmine! Thank you so much! 💛 I actually had a haircut mishap not too long ago too, so your story made me laugh. I’m still a little scared to go back! 😅
Language learning definitely keeps us humble. My next post is about heritage learners, and your comment reminded me why I wanted to write it. I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Haha me too 😂 I’m really looking forward to your post on heritage learners. That topic feels personal and complicated in a way I’m still trying to understand for myself.
I think part of it is that I don’t feel super connected to the culture because I didn’t grow up knowing much about it including the language. Looking back, I wish I studied Japanese in high school instead of Spanish but I had no idea I would end up living here! Most of my Japanese American friends in LA are 4th or 5th generation too so many of us grew up with a more distant relationship to it. It’s been really interesting to notice the differences now that I’m living in Japan.
This is me with Chinese! 😂 I’m fifth-generation too, and honestly the most exposure I had growing up was dim sum in the Arcadia/Alhambra area and Ni Hao, Kai-lan. 🥲
I’ve been in Japan long enough now that I feel like Japanese culture has rubbed off on me, so the reverse culture shock is real every time I go back home. It’s funny how living abroad can make you think about your own heritage in ways you never expected.
What a small world that we both grew up in SoCal and now live in Japan! Where do you live in Japan?
Yes I'm heading to LA this summer and already dreading the reverse culture shock of LAX, driving everywhere, and not having Japanese health insurance 😭
I think what struck me most is how often we mistake a moment of panic for a lack of ability. I've had so many experiences where I knew something, but the pressure of the moment made it disappear completely. Reading this felt oddly reassuring—like a reminder that struggling doesn't mean we're failing.
“Struggling doesn’t mean we’re failing” is exactly the reframe. The panic and the ability are separate things, they just show up at the same time and it’s easy to confuse them.
Hi Shea! I’m so glad I found your Substack! I’m learning Japanese as an adult in Tokyo, and it has been such a humbling language-learning journey. I’m Asian American and a quarter Japanese, but third generation, so I didn’t grow up knowing Japanese.
I also completely freeze under pressure. I once thought I understood what my hairstylist said and accidentally agreed to henna instead of my regular hair dye 😭 I was kicking myself afterward for not saying “Nihongo ga sukoshi dekimasu” earlier.
Hi, Jasmine! Thank you so much! 💛 I actually had a haircut mishap not too long ago too, so your story made me laugh. I’m still a little scared to go back! 😅
Language learning definitely keeps us humble. My next post is about heritage learners, and your comment reminded me why I wanted to write it. I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Haha me too 😂 I’m really looking forward to your post on heritage learners. That topic feels personal and complicated in a way I’m still trying to understand for myself.
I think part of it is that I don’t feel super connected to the culture because I didn’t grow up knowing much about it including the language. Looking back, I wish I studied Japanese in high school instead of Spanish but I had no idea I would end up living here! Most of my Japanese American friends in LA are 4th or 5th generation too so many of us grew up with a more distant relationship to it. It’s been really interesting to notice the differences now that I’m living in Japan.
This is me with Chinese! 😂 I’m fifth-generation too, and honestly the most exposure I had growing up was dim sum in the Arcadia/Alhambra area and Ni Hao, Kai-lan. 🥲
I’ve been in Japan long enough now that I feel like Japanese culture has rubbed off on me, so the reverse culture shock is real every time I go back home. It’s funny how living abroad can make you think about your own heritage in ways you never expected.
What a small world that we both grew up in SoCal and now live in Japan! Where do you live in Japan?
Yes I'm heading to LA this summer and already dreading the reverse culture shock of LAX, driving everywhere, and not having Japanese health insurance 😭
I found listening harder.
That's interesting! How'd you overcome it?
practising. Try to listen to something new everyday . Topics I found interesting.